Mailbox, The Nelson Mail, 25/04/2006

Sir, Tasman District Council's debt could reach $150 million. With this will come increasing rates, decreasing council services, and infrastructure unable to cope with growth

Mayor John Hurley's suggested solution to these serious challenges is to axe the council's kerbside recycling programme (Nelson Mail, April 20). Is this really what residents want? Is this really the best way to cut costs? Do the mayor's comments reassure readers that local children will grow up to enjoy a healthy local economy and environment? The short-term economic savings of cutting recycling collection are minimal, especially when compared with the environmental and political costs. The council's transport budget, on the other hand, accounts for nearly 40 percent of rates. There are real savings to be made by slashing unnecessary road widening and straightening.

Most TDC survey respondents dissatisfied with refuse and recycling services wanted kerbside recycling extended to their area, or wanted to be able to recycle more. Besides, the council only recently paid to get the kerbside bins and education material out there. Trashing this service now would be an irresponsible waste of all the money ratepayers have just invested in recycling infrastructure.

I encourage concerned readers to prepare a submission on the TDC's draft long-term council community plan.

Duncan Eddy, CommunityAction for People and Planet, Motueka, April 23.